Errol Spence vs Yordenis Ugas LIVE: Latest updates, result and reaction tonight
Follow all the fallout from the main-event title fight
Errol Spence Jr added another welterweight title to his collection by stopping Yordenis Ugas on Saturday night.
Spence Jr, 32, retained the WBC and IBF belts at 147lbs while simultaneously taking his Cuban opponent’s WBA Super title. Prior to Saturday night’s main event, it had been 16 months since Spence Jr competed, with the American having beaten compatriot Danny Garcia via decision in December 2020 before going on to have surgery on his eye. That fight took place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where this Saturday’s headline bout was also staged. The 35-year-old Ugas (27-5, 12 knockouts), meanwhile, last fought in August, outpointing icon Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
The Cuban could not replicate that statement win, however, as he fell victim to Spence’s vicious and varied offence in front of a roaring Texas crowd. Though Ugas was spirited throughout, he began to wilt physically as the fight progressed. His best moment came with a one-two in the sixth round, when a distracted Spence expected the referee to retrieve his mouthguard. The punches sent the American staggering against the ropes, but Spence went on to produce his best work, causing Ugas’ right eye to swell significantly as the rounds passed by. Ultimately the injury led the official to call a stop to the action in the 10th round, ensuring a TKO victory for Spence Jr, the southpaw thus remaining unbeaten (28-0, 22 KOs) as he targets a unification clash with Terence Crawford.
Re-live round-by-round updates from Errol Spence Jr vs Yordenis Ugas this evening.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Chris Billam-Smith def. Tommy McCarthy via eighth-round knockout (1:28).
The rivals embrace. Billam-Smith retains the European and Commonwealth cruiserweight belts.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 8
McCarthy is backed up against the ropes, and Billam-Smith lands a clean right straight! That hurts the Irishman!
Now a left hook from Billam-Smith! McCarthy is teetering... Billam-Smith tees off and down goes McCarthy!
He can’t beat the count! It’s all over!
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 7
One-two lands for Billam-Smith. Good body work from both men in the clinch.
Barry McGuigan, a former champion and the father of Billam-Smith’s trainer Shane McGuigan, is shouting from ringside.
Decent one-two from McCarthy. Billam-Smith ends the round with a nice counter.
Like his opponent, McCarthy is now cut around his left eye.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 6
A left hook lands for McCarthy as he lunges in! Now he paws at Billam-Smith with jabs.
Now Billam-Smith leans on his rival in the corner, intermittently throwing right hands but only grazing McCarthy’s gloves.
Good body hooks from McCarthy. Billam-Smith is bleeding from around his left eye.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 5
Billam-Smith has McCarthy against the ropes, is leaning on the Irishman and is throwing body hooks and uppercuts to the head.
The pair move into space and McCarthy launches wide hooks to the body.
A better spell from him late in the round.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 4
Billam-Smith lands a one-two of hooks to the body. He repeats it.
Two left hooks upstairs trouble McCarthy! Now two spearing right straights!
The Irishman comes back with a good left hook, but Billam-Smith is applying more pressure now.
A left hook has McCarthy stumbling as the round ends!
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 3
Billam-Smith with a flurry of body hooks before grabbing McCarthy. He then throws hooks to the head as he backs off.
McCarthy responds with a nice combination, then a clean one-two! Billam-Smith has taken McCarthy’s best shots well so far.
The pair clinch, then McCarthy slings some hooks to the body of Billam-Smith before pushing his rival away.
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 2
Left-hook, right-hook combination from Billam-Smith in close.
McCarthy creates distance but is caught on the end of a jab.
Now Billam-Smith misses with a jab and McCarthy clinches. A lot of holding already.
Again the men separate. McCarthy lands a one-two and leans on Billam-Smith on the ropes.
Once they’re free, McCarthy lands a big overhand right to end the round!
Benn vs Van Heerden
Billam-Smith vs McCarthy – Round 1
Billam-Smith, 31, is on the front foot early on. McCarthy, also 31, is warned by the referee already for leading with his head as his ooopponent enters.
Billam-Smith catches McCarthy, who leans into a left hook. McCarthy has been a bit too passive in this opening round.
The pair clinch and McCarthy fires off some heavy punches. Some of them look like hammer fists...
The cruiserweights separate, before McCarthy lands a nice counter left hook to the body of Billam-Smith.
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